Cyprus-Forum.com

[shahmaran]

Turkey will stop giving a shit about the EU eventually, but not Cyprus.

You have to realize that one of the reasons the EU doesn't want Turkey in the EU is because it occupies Cyprus. As long as Turkey occupies Cyprus its image in the EU suffers and it shows that it can't be trusted. Turkey has to take bold steps to show that it has changed its policy and is genuinely interested in ending the occupation. By behaving as it does Turkey only feeds the negative image of itself it already has in the EU.

Ending the occupation will boost Turkey's accession process. It's not really that difficult. Turkey had a chance after the failed Annan Plan to make quick moves to ease Greek Cypriot concerns. Instead all it has done has act like a frustrated bully that can't get its own way. It's not been an edifying spectacle.

Turkey has a chance to use the Cyprus issue to its benefit to convince a skeptical EU public that it is a country they can trust. Instead all Turkey does is confirm people's suspicions that the Turkish mentality is stuck in the past. It's self-defeating and not very clever.

I think you are overestimating the importance of the EU and Cyprus in the eyes of Turkey. Also the importance of Cyprus in the eyes of the EU public. There are only a couple of EU members who have been refusing Turkey and one of them is Cyprus herself. Everyone else seems to be OK with it. So I don't know what you are talking about when you say "Turkey has to prove herself". Turkey already has inputs that are far more valuable to some EU members than the sovereignty of a few whiney Cypriots.

[miltiades]

Shah do you not know that thousands of Turkish workers still emigrate , mostly illegally , to the EU because the prospects for a decent life are far superior to what is on offer in Turkey.
Turkey has a long way to go before joining the EU , many hurdles to overcome not least her continued occupation of the northern part of Cyprus .

[Hermes]

I don't know what you are talking about when you say "Turkey has to prove herself".

I know you don't get it. But that is exactly why Turkey's accession has stalled. Turkey has to overcome the reservations not just of Cyprus but a whole host of other countries including France and Germany. The occupation of Cyprus is a huge barrier to Turkish entry. It merely confirms to an already sceptical Europe that Turkey isn't fit to join the EU. Turkey has to change its image. It has to prove that it's a modern democratic European country that abides by EU law and is in step with European values. As long as it occupies Cyprus it merely confirms that it is unfit for EU membership. Turkey cannot get around this fact.

If Erdogan had a brain, he would use a withdrawal from Cyprus to boost Turkey's image in the EU and prove that Turkey is committed to respecting EU values. Instead, he does the opposite and then blames the EU for keeping Turkey out! It's stupid and self-defeating.

[shahmaran]

Shah do you not know that thousands of Turkish workers still emigrate , mostly illegally , to the EU because the prospects for a decent life are far superior to what is on offer in Turkey.
Turkey has a long way to go before joining the EU , many hurdles to overcome not least her continued occupation of the northern part of Cyprus .

You should also know that the recent members from the Eastern block have spent decades immigrating legally/illegally into Turkey for a better life, including Russians.

Joining the EU has nothing to do with the current standart of life, most countries want to join because they need to improve.

[shahmaran]

I don't know what you are talking about when you say "Turkey has to prove herself".

I know you don't get it. But that is exactly why Turkey's accession has stalled. Turkey has to overcome the reservations not just of Cyprus but a whole host of other countries including France and Germany. The occupation of Cyprus is a huge barrier to Turkish entry. It merely confirms to an already sceptical Europe that Turkey isn't fit to join the EU. Turkey has to change its image. It has to prove that it's a modern democratic European country that abides by EU law and is in step with European values. As long as it occupies Cyprus it merely confirms that it is unfit for EU membership. Turkey cannot get around this fact.

If Erdogan had a brain, he would use a withdrawal from Cyprus to boost Turkey's image in the EU and prove that Turkey is committed to respecting EU values. Instead, he does the opposite and then blames the EU for keeping Turkey out! It's stupid and self-defeating.

I was being sarcastic. I DO get what you are trying to say, I just don't see it the way you do.

I would still insist that you are over-exaggerating Turkeys view of the EU.

Turkey is currently growing a lot faster than many of the EU members and she is not even a member, yet!

[humanist]

Turkey is currently growing a lot faster than many of the EU members and she is not even a member, yet!

That's fantastic ...... perhaps they should stop chasing the membership and inform EU they are doing a good job alone and drop their application for membership

[Viewpoint]

Then where would that leave GC leverage?

[Hermes]

Then where would that leave GC leverage?

You should ask where would it leave Turkey? Stuck with a 700million dollar-a-year bill for financing the territory. Still occupying an EU state. Leading to lessened international credibility. The EU negotiation process totally frozen would mean less domestic reform and an increase in authoritarian tendencies internally. As well as increasing tension with the Kurdish minority and tension with Greece. Which means more defence spending. And uncertainty amongst foreign investors. Not to mention an upsurge in law-suits from Greek Cypriots.

Where would it leave the Turkish Cypriots? On the road to extinction.

Turkey's and T'Cs interests are still best served by EU accession. You'd do best to remember that Turkey and T/Cs have a lot to lose as well.

[Viewpoint]

Your doom and gloom attitude is expected from enemies of Turkey. The original question which you tried to avoid was where would GCs be when they lose EU leverage?

[boulio]

Vp markets are always forward looking,so they invest with anticipation of a event.thats why there is heavy money inflows into turkey and investment with the anticipation of eventual EU Aascesion.however if they get a wiff that turkey is not getting in or is leaning eastward look out below.And you ask were does it leave the ROC ?

IN the EU and the only recognized entity on the whole island.